Hebraic Musing –Do We Fully Appreciate the Role of the Holy Spirit?
In the Gospel
message, we first hear of John the Baptist’s focus on baptism for repentance
in preparation for the coming Messiah. Then we hear that “...Jesus
made and baptized more disciples than John.” in John
4:1. And then, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the focus
changed to being filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ infamous
final words or command to us was “Go therefore
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matt.28:19 NKJV
Then what
happened about 50 days later? “When the Day of Pentecost had
fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the
whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided
tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4 This happened on Shavuot
(or Pentecost), one of the three feasts requiring all men to pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. Peter’s preaching to the crowd at the Temple brought 3,000 to
repentance, immersion, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
And how did Peter conclude his first message to the crowd? “Repent,
and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38
BTW - Next Sunday, May 28th,
is Pentecost Sunday, today’s Christian name for the holiday which takes place the
50th day after Resurrection Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy
Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem
celebrating the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot as commanded in Deuteronomy
16:10 “Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God
with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as
the LORD your God blesses you.” In Israel, the Feast of
Weeks is also called the Feast of the Firstfruits celebrating first
harvest of the wheat; and the Firstfruits are to be sacrificed to the
Lord (Leviticus 23:10). This becomes even more special for us in the New
Testament since we Christians who receive the Holy Spirit are also
called the “Firstfruits.”
The Jews were
surprised when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles when Peter was
preaching to Cornelius’ household. “While Peter was still speaking
these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision (Jews) who believed were astonished,
as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues
and magnify God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that
these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit
just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name
of the Lord.” Acts 10:44-48
Later, when Paul
was in Ephesus he encountered disciples of John; but they had not received the Holy
Spirit! “Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism
of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who
would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul
had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke
with tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:4-6 NKJV And those
believers were thus empowered to go forth to the entire known world to spread
the gospel in just a few generations!
In Galatians
5:16, Paul exhorts us to “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not
fulfill the lust of the flesh.” And then he reminds us that “the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
Points to Ponder
Why do many
Salvation testimonies reveal all three “baptism” experiences? For
example:
I repented to Father God that I had broken His commandments;
I accepted the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, as my Lord;
and ever since then, I’ve enjoyed the daily guidance from His precious Holy
Spirit.
What are we
celebrating next Sunday? A - Pentecost. What happened in Acts
Chapter 2?
♫ Spirit of
the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit
of the Living God... ♫
Yosef a.k.a.
Joe Brusherd
May
23, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our
faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic
Musings” insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com
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